8: Even Auto-Mail can't replace that

I don't own FMA and it belongs to its rightful owners anything else belongs to AENR13. R&R!

POV of Laura Fang

The next morning I'm with Emi in my office getting last-minute things before we head off to Rush Valley (the city for Auto-Mail) when Hughes walks in.

"Colonel Fang, there's something I need to discuss to you about." He says in a very serious matter. I motion him over and he tells me about his suspicious about the Fuhrer and the higher-ups. I nod because to be honest I've been suspicious about the same matter. The Führer has been making a lot of movements lately between the Officers... I frown and my eyes dart between Emi and him.

"Well, it's too risky for me to take Emi with me. There's no telling what can happen and that's not even to consider Scar still on the run. Mae, can you do me a huge favor?" I plead so he understands,

"Yeah I'll ask if Gracia can take Emi in with Elicia until you come back. I was taking the day off either way. You should be back within a couple of days right?" he asks, I nod. I look at Emi.

"Emi, you're going with Mr. Hughes so be on your best behavior until I come back." she frowns

"No! I want to go with you!" she cries so I get her off of me.

"I know but it's too dangerous for you and we wouldn't want Daddy scared would we?" she shakes her head so Hughes picks her up. I kiss her face and give a squeeze to his shoulder and smile. "Thanks, I owe you one." I board my train to Rush Valley.

"What do you mean you guys got rid of my make?!" I demand at the counter while I'm waiting for the Auto-Mail mechanic to get my stuff ready.

"I'm sorry but it was an old one and that network isn't being made anymore but don't worry. We'll fully upgrade you to a new model for your needs. Jackson's ready to see you now." the woman takes me over to the back room where my mechanic Jackson is.

"Hey Laura! Long time no see! My wallet was starting to miss ya!" he teases as I sit on the bench. I punch him

"Oh shut up! Anyways you've been losing business too eh?" he nods as he adjusts a gear in his Auto-Mail

"Yeah with these new shops popping up people don't generally come here as often anymore. Lay down and relax because this is going to take a while." he says so I do and fall asleep as he opens up my back to work.

I wake up later and it feels like it's been over like 10 hours. I hear his wrench tightening some things. "All done!" he exclaims. I stand up and look at my back in the mirror. It's much thinner than the original but it's a bit heavier.

"Made out of pure titanium! The 10th strongest metal in the world! Now check this baby out!" he throws a blow to my back so I brace myself for it when there's the sound of clicking. There's a coldness to my skin so I glance and my whole back's covered in metal. "It has Auto Shield, so whenever someone tries to attack you from behind it activates the shield to protect ya. Now you'll never be caught off guard. And same for the rest of your body!" he punches my arm and it forms over there too even though I don't have any Auto-Mail there. I nod approving its coolness. "But it'll weigh you down and you have to be careful, the more you use it the thinner it'll get. I say only use it if it's a life or death thing." I nod so I pay up at the front desk. He waves goodbye as he drops me off at the Train Station. Well I'll be passing Eastern City and maybe I should pay Roy a visit...

"Knock knock. May I come in?" I call as I linger by the door. Roy glances up at me,

"What are you doing here?" He asks but with a flat voice. I take it as I can so I make my way towards his desk.

"Sheez I was in the area and I decided to pay you a visit. I already got my Auto-Mail fixed too." I smile a bit. He ignores me and continues reading whatever he was reading earlier. I sit on the corner of his desk, he growls so I frown. "Okay c'mon what's up? You're hardly ever in a grumpy mood at these hours. Everyone already left, there's no one pushing your buttons." I demand.

"Yeah there is. So you could have told me you had a kid Laura." he glares at me. I roll my eyes

"Where did you hear that?"

"Hughes told me about it and how apparently your little girl looks like you and its photogenic." He answers sourly.

"Why such the sour tone? And she's not my kid,"

"So how do you explain how apparently the dad showed up at Central to drop her off publicly in front of your new company?" He gets in my face. I narrow my eyes at him and get in his

"Is that's why you're such in a pissy mood?!"

"Answer me Laura!" we're snarling at each other so I reply

"Because she's Lauren's daughter! And I and the dad take turns to take care of her that's why!" He squints his eyebrows together and sinks back into his chair. I cross my arms. Asshole. Why am I even in love with this guy again? He stands up to leave so I do too; I mean c'mon I can take a hint too. We're crossing the room when the door's knocked down. We're taken back as a person in black draws out a gun and shoots at us. I'm in front of Roy so I tackle him to the floor and the Auto Mail pops over me and keeps the bullets from making holes into us like Swiss cheese. Roy, from under me snaps his fingers and the flames gets the assailant to leave. I prop my torso off of his to see if he's still there. He isn't so I get off. My Auto-Mail readjusts back into it's slots in my back.

"Who was that?" I ask as I get used to the aching in my back of the weight of the Auto-Mail.

"I don't know. First we should see if he left behind anything, then after we'll go over to my apartment to take cover." I nod so we're seeing if the attacker left anything, I find someone and it's a little bright red paper. On the back it reads "Devil's Nest."

"Roy! Do you know where this is?" I hand him over the paper. He shakes his head

"No idea. I know it's not from here, maybe when you get back to Central you can see if there's one there." I toss it into my pocket so we leave for his place. I take over his couch and crash there. He throws a blanket at me, I toss it over me and go to sleep. I wonder what's going on in Central with my company. And I'm worried about Emi and Dylan; what if something's happened to them? I shake that thought away. It's around like 2 am when he's up in the kitchen turning on a light.

"Roy," I call

"Yeah?" I consider whether I should tell him,

"It's nothing. Just wanted to make sure it was you." I mumble so he leaves. I bury my face into the backrest of the couch. No matter how much Auto Mail a person can have, it'll never be able to replace a stupid thing called emotions. I'm wasting my time...